Family & Friend Night at The Fire Academy

I have talked a little bit about TJ being in school to be a fireman. Well, the semester is almost over and tonight was family and friend night. The students were allowed to invite their loved ones to see them in action! Unfortunately, my family was unable to make it due to my brother's baseball playoff game but there was an amazing turnout and the guys really seemed to enjoy showing off their skills and having all of us there.

TJ's class originally started with over twenty students and these are the six men who have made it through and will be graduating! TJ has really had such a wonderful experience with these guys. He comes home telling me stories and cracking up laughing. It sounds bad to say but I am thankful that the class ended up so small because I feel like these guys really got to experience brotherhood and they developed real friendships which doesn't always happen in larger groups.

Here are some misc. pics of the evening.

 TJ is leading controlling the hose with his friend and classmate Tompkins backing him up.

 I wish I had gotten a quality picture of when TJ went up onto the latter to extinguish the fire but Riley was getting sleepy so I didn't have enough hands but it was definitely an awesome thing to watch.

 The last fire they tackled was the largest and I snapped this picture as soon as the blaze got going. Though this is not TJ in the picture it made for an awesome picture and we will be giving the man in the picture a copy.

 Tonight was such an amazing experience. I got to get to know the other students and their family and friends. I was able to meet a lot of the local firefighters who came in to assist the class since they were so small in number and didn't have enough men to do it alone. It helped me gain a greater respect for the bond that the firemen share. It really was like on giant family. So amazing.

 

One of the fireman's wives was gracious enough to snap a picture of the three of us. I have had that "mommy syndrome" lately where all of the pictures are of everyone but me because I am always behind the camera. I am so thankful that we were able to get one AND that Riley is actually looking at the camera! I swear I have no idea how TJ still looks so amazing after fighting fires since one o'clock this afternoon (this photo was taken around 8:30pm) but he does. I am so proud of his hard work and dedication to the program. He has absolutely just excelled and it truly blows me away what an amazing husband, father, and provider he has become.